Chapter 34
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Chapter 34
Sometimes, an old man just had to be a little bit selfish. He knew what he needed to do, but he just couldnt face it yet. So when he was invited by Timothy and Catarina to come to their village of Carran, he gladly accepted. Hoyt was invited as well, but he had other plans to attend to.
Anton had little to do to prepare. He stocked up on necessary supplies such as arrows and some emergency rations just in case. He exchanged some contribution points for money- he was almost surprised at how much he could have, but he had fought more beasts than he would hunt in a year so it was actually quite reasonable. It was slightly disconcerting to think his bow might cost as much as a barn but then again, it was comparing a barn made out of mundane wood to something of special materials, even if it was much smaller.
A horse might travel further in a day than a man on foot, though their true speed advantage was in short bursts. Cultivators, however, could sustain a speed faster than a horse while walking. Of course, there were special breeds and magical beasts who were even faster but those were quite a bit more expensive. The official recommendation for members of the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars was to walk, if speed was not required.. Anton hadnt known about it, but it made sense. Walking served the dual purpose of training the body of the cultivator and allowing the citizens of Graotan to see them. While they didnt necessarily show the symbol of the Order, people could still recognize them. For their current group, it was only an academic choice regardless. Nobody wanted to spend their entire stock of contribution points on a creature only marginally faster than their current speed, something they would soon outclass.
Im going to show everyone how strong I am when I get back, Timothy declared, hands behind his head as he walked confidently. How about you, Catarina?
Mmn. Just want to see family.
I thought so. Youre not really the type to show off Timothy nodded to himself, Still, we can be proud. We both joined the Order, and weve grown even stronger in the last few months.
Yes, Catarina replied, But we are still weak.
I dont know if thats fair to say. Were not weak everything else is just too strong. Besides, were at least strong enough to protect Carran.
Antons face grew stern, Dont rest on your laurels so easily. Magical beasts might not live in the area, but not all cultivators are upright and honest, and they wont care how long youve cultivated or if you have at all. The tone of his voice was cold, and soured the discussion for the rest of the day. Not that Catarina would have contributed much anyway.
-----
When there was no conversation the next morning, Anton offered an apology. I did not mean to be so harsh with my words yesterday. The two of you have done quite well with your devotion to cultivation. Im sure you friends and family will be proud of you. He paused, But I dont know if it can ever be truly said that you are strong enough. Hed thought he was strong. Old as he was, it was hard for anyone to say he wasnt strong, or at least tough. But he hadnt even been present to do anything- and if he had, he knew he would have had no effect.
Anton looked ahead at the town. People were moving about doing everyday business. Someone in particular caught his eye. Catarina. Does your mother look like you?
Yes. Quite. So I am told.
It appears she is at the market, then. Anton found the more he used Hawk Eyes to see, the better his eyes became even when he wasnt focusing his energy. They still werent the best theyd been, but when he focused picking out faces on the horizon wasnt too difficult. Especially somewhat familiar ones. As he approached closer, the difference in faces was obvious but not too much. Just a couple small decades of age.
Catarina waved as her mother spotted her. Mom! That one energetic word was perhaps the most enthusiastic Anton had ever seen Catarina. Im back to visit.
So I see. Though you only sent a letter when you got into the Order and Timothy didnt even remember to inform his father, she looked at him, placing her hand on her hips but her smile belied the posture. Welcome back you two. Im Flora Riley. A pleasure to meet you. And you are?
Anton Krantz, he inclined his head, watching her face for signs of recognition. He had an idea but perhaps it was wrong. Im another disciple of the Order. We share a complex where we live, and I fought together along with these two.
Fought? Catarinas mother paled slightly and turned to her.
Catarina nodded. You know cultivators often have to fight. We protected a village.
Well I- she stopped whatever she was going to say. Im glad you are alright. She inclined her head to Anton, Thank you for taking care of them. Do you have a place to stay?
Catarina spoke up before Anton could, I was hoping he could stay in the spare room. Hes guiding Timothy with cultivation, so if he only had to go next door instead of walking out of town, it would be more convenient. Catarina was slightly more verbose with her mother, though she still didnt seem talkative. Maybe she simply needed to explain everything or she just wasnt that comfortable around Anton yet.
Of course he can stay. Any of your friends are welcome. Floras eyes sparkled slightly and she looked at Timothy, And Im sure some people will be glad you didnt bring home a young man. Timothy swallowed slightly, but didnt say anything.
The three of them helped Flora carry her shopping back with her- though any one of them could carry far more than she wanted to purchase. Timothy made sure to stop by his home next door when they passed. Anton just enjoyed interacting with a city where nothing was going wrong. Nobody needed saving from a flood or bandits or wild beasts. And he would do his utmost to make sure it stayed that way- as well as every village in Graotan.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.
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Chapter 34
Sometimes, an old man just had to be a little bit selfish. He knew what he needed to do, but he just couldnt face it yet. So when he was invited by Timothy and Catarina to come to their village of Carran, he gladly accepted. Hoyt was invited as well, but he had other plans to attend to.
Anton had little to do to prepare. He stocked up on necessary supplies such as arrows and some emergency rations just in case. He exchanged some contribution points for money- he was almost surprised at how much he could have, but he had fought more beasts than he would hunt in a year so it was actually quite reasonable. It was slightly disconcerting to think his bow might cost as much as a barn but then again, it was comparing a barn made out of mundane wood to something of special materials, even if it was much smaller.
A horse might travel further in a day than a man on foot, though their true speed advantage was in short bursts. Cultivators, however, could sustain a speed faster than a horse while walking. Of course, there were special breeds and magical beasts who were even faster but those were quite a bit more expensive. The official recommendation for members of the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars was to walk, if speed was not required.. Anton hadnt known about it, but it made sense. Walking served the dual purpose of training the body of the cultivator and allowing the citizens of Graotan to see them. While they didnt necessarily show the symbol of the Order, people could still recognize them. For their current group, it was only an academic choice regardless. Nobody wanted to spend their entire stock of contribution points on a creature only marginally faster than their current speed, something they would soon outclass.
Im going to show everyone how strong I am when I get back, Timothy declared, hands behind his head as he walked confidently. How about you, Catarina?
Mmn. Just want to see family.
I thought so. Youre not really the type to show off Timothy nodded to himself, Still, we can be proud. We both joined the Order, and weve grown even stronger in the last few months.
Yes, Catarina replied, But we are still weak.
I dont know if thats fair to say. Were not weak everything else is just too strong. Besides, were at least strong enough to protect Carran.
Antons face grew stern, Dont rest on your laurels so easily. Magical beasts might not live in the area, but not all cultivators are upright and honest, and they wont care how long youve cultivated or if you have at all. The tone of his voice was cold, and soured the discussion for the rest of the day. Not that Catarina would have contributed much anyway.
-----
When there was no conversation the next morning, Anton offered an apology. I did not mean to be so harsh with my words yesterday. The two of you have done quite well with your devotion to cultivation. Im sure you friends and family will be proud of you. He paused, But I dont know if it can ever be truly said that you are strong enough. Hed thought he was strong. Old as he was, it was hard for anyone to say he wasnt strong, or at least tough. But he hadnt even been present to do anything- and if he had, he knew he would have had no effect.
Anton looked ahead at the town. People were moving about doing everyday business. Someone in particular caught his eye. Catarina. Does your mother look like you?
Yes. Quite. So I am told.
It appears she is at the market, then. Anton found the more he used Hawk Eyes to see, the better his eyes became even when he wasnt focusing his energy. They still werent the best theyd been, but when he focused picking out faces on the horizon wasnt too difficult. Especially somewhat familiar ones. As he approached closer, the difference in faces was obvious but not too much. Just a couple small decades of age.
Catarina waved as her mother spotted her. Mom! That one energetic word was perhaps the most enthusiastic Anton had ever seen Catarina. Im back to visit.
So I see. Though you only sent a letter when you got into the Order and Timothy didnt even remember to inform his father, she looked at him, placing her hand on her hips but her smile belied the posture. Welcome back you two. Im Flora Riley. A pleasure to meet you. And you are?
Anton Krantz, he inclined his head, watching her face for signs of recognition. He had an idea but perhaps it was wrong. Im another disciple of the Order. We share a complex where we live, and I fought together along with these two.
Fought? Catarinas mother paled slightly and turned to her.
Catarina nodded. You know cultivators often have to fight. We protected a village.
Well I- she stopped whatever she was going to say. Im glad you are alright. She inclined her head to Anton, Thank you for taking care of them. Do you have a place to stay?
Catarina spoke up before Anton could, I was hoping he could stay in the spare room. Hes guiding Timothy with cultivation, so if he only had to go next door instead of walking out of town, it would be more convenient. Catarina was slightly more verbose with her mother, though she still didnt seem talkative. Maybe she simply needed to explain everything or she just wasnt that comfortable around Anton yet.
Of course he can stay. Any of your friends are welcome. Floras eyes sparkled slightly and she looked at Timothy, And Im sure some people will be glad you didnt bring home a young man. Timothy swallowed slightly, but didnt say anything.
The three of them helped Flora carry her shopping back with her- though any one of them could carry far more than she wanted to purchase. Timothy made sure to stop by his home next door when they passed. Anton just enjoyed interacting with a city where nothing was going wrong. Nobody needed saving from a flood or bandits or wild beasts. And he would do his utmost to make sure it stayed that way- as well as every village in Graotan.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.
Chapter 34Sometimes, an old man just had to be a little bit selfish. He knew what he needed to do, but he just couldnt face it yet. So when he was invited by Timothy and Catarina to come to their village of Carran, he gladly accepted. Hoyt was invited as well, but he had other plans to attend to. Anton had little to do to prepare. He stocked up on necessary supplies such as arrows and some emergency rations just in case. He exchanged some contribution points for money- he was almost surprised at how much he could have, but he had fought more beasts than he would hunt in a year so it was actually quite reasonable. It was slightly disconcerting to think his bow might cost as much as a barn but then again, it was comparing a barn made out of mundane wood to something of special materials, even if it was much smaller.A horse might travel further in a day than a man on foot, though their true speed advantage was in short bursts. Cultivators, however, could sustain a speed faster than a horse while walking. Of course, there were special breeds and magical beasts who were even faster but those were quite a bit more expensive. The official recommendation for members of the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars was to walk, if speed was not required.. Anton hadnt known about it, but it made sense. Walking served the dual purpose of training the body of the cultivator and allowing the citizens of Graotan to see them. While they didnt necessarily show the symbol of the Order, people could still recognize them. For their current group, it was only an academic choice regardless. Nobody wanted to spend their entire stock of contribution points on a creature only marginally faster than their current speed, something they would soon outclass.Im going to show everyone how strong I am when I get back, Timothy declared, hands behind his head as he walked confidently. How about you, Catarina?Mmn. Just want to see family.I thought so. Youre not really the type to show off Timothy nodded to himself, Still, we can be proud. We both joined the Order, and weve grown even stronger in the last few months.Yes, Catarina replied, But we are still weak.I dont know if thats fair to say. Were not weak everything else is just too strong. Besides, were at least strong enough to protect Carran.Antons face grew stern, Dont rest on your laurels so easily. Magical beasts might not live in the area, but not all cultivators are upright and honest, and they wont care how long youve cultivated or if you have at all. The tone of his voice was cold, and soured the discussion for the rest of the day. Not that Catarina would have contributed much anyway.-----When there was no conversation the next morning, Anton offered an apology. I did not mean to be so harsh with my words yesterday. The two of you have done quite well with your devotion to cultivation. Im sure you friends and family will be proud of you. He paused, But I dont know if it can ever be truly said that you are strong enough. Hed thought he was strong. Old as he was, it was hard for anyone to say he wasnt strong, or at least tough. But he hadnt even been present to do anything- and if he had, he knew he would have had no effect.Anton looked ahead at the town. People were moving about doing everyday business. Someone in particular caught his eye. Catarina. Does your mother look like you?Yes. Quite. So I am told.It appears she is at the market, then. Anton found the more he used Hawk Eyes to see, the better his eyes became even when he wasnt focusing his energy. They still werent the best theyd been, but when he focused picking out faces on the horizon wasnt too difficult. Especially somewhat familiar ones. As he approached closer, the difference in faces was obvious but not too much. Just a couple small decades of age.Catarina waved as her mother spotted her. Mom! That one energetic word was perhaps the most enthusiastic Anton had ever seen Catarina. Im back to visit.So I see. Though you only sent a letter when you got into the Order and Timothy didnt even remember to inform his father, she looked at him, placing her hand on her hips but her smile belied the posture. Welcome back you two. Im Flora Riley. A pleasure to meet you. And you are?Anton Krantz, he inclined his head, watching her face for signs of recognition. He had an idea but perhaps it was wrong. Im another disciple of the Order. We share a complex where we live, and I fought together along with these two.Fought? Catarinas mother paled slightly and turned to her.Catarina nodded. You know cultivators often have to fight. We protected a village.Well I- she stopped whatever she was going to say. Im glad you are alright. She inclined her head to Anton, Thank you for taking care of them. Do you have a place to stay?Catarina spoke up before Anton could, I was hoping he could stay in the spare room. Hes guiding Timothy with cultivation, so if he only had to go next door instead of walking out of town, it would be more convenient. Catarina was slightly more verbose with her mother, though she still didnt seem talkative. Maybe she simply needed to explain everything or she just wasnt that comfortable around Anton yet.Of course he can stay. Any of your friends are welcome. Floras eyes sparkled slightly and she looked at Timothy, And Im sure some people will be glad you didnt bring home a young man. Timothy swallowed slightly, but didnt say anything.The three of them helped Flora carry her shopping back with her- though any one of them could carry far more than she wanted to purchase. Timothy made sure to stop by his home next door when they passed. Anton just enjoyed interacting with a city where nothing was going wrong. Nobody needed saving from a flood or bandits or wild beasts. And he would do his utmost to make sure it stayed that way- as well as every village in Graotan.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.
